When we were born, our Founder, Susan L. Marshall, wanted to devise a logo that represented the significant bond that she had formed as an author with a highly supportive global readership, as she shared her writing etudes. Susan carried forward the generous spirits of Author and Readers and her love for classics and old symbols, to generate a logo that referred to the deeper meanings behind giving and receiving.
Susan decided to use a classical image of a boat, which she believed referred to many things: carrying, travel, ideas, playscapes, cargo, the Romantic spirit and journey, etc. She also wanted the boat to be filled with her love for flowers (she loves orange flowers) in abundance, as a metaphoric symbol.
Our logo shares that to truly ‘discover the story’, we must appreciate the wonderful, dual relationship between reader and author. We highly value the connection, attentiveness and feedback that occurs between them. To give words or a story to others is to also have it received in boundless ways and across vast plains of life.
So, at Story Playscapes, the ‘story’ exists beyond words on a page, it exists in the connection, the relationship, the meanings (ontology too), states of existence, the worlds, the memories and so many more things, that occur when a story is shared, both for reader, author and between them too.
At Story Playscapes, we love to encourage our readers to discover the story.
About
Story Playscapes
Discover the Story
Story Playscapes (established in 2020), is an Australian boutique publishing house, dedicated to the development of contemporary metaphysical literature. It produces the professional works of our founder, artistic director, artisan author, theatre practitioner and illustrator, Susan L. Marshall in high quality, bespoke and premium editions. As the creator of her signature Fragmentique technique;, a pioneer of contemporary metaphysical literature; the literary architect of Souful Formalism and as an author of more than 40 professional publications, Susan L. Marshall has become a prominent figure in shaping the narrative of contemporary metaphysical literature. Susan’s works are written for a wide ranging, global audience. Story Playcapes aims to publish a range of Susan’s books, which encourage a love for reading and discovering the story.
In her work on formalising Contemporary Metaphysical LIterature here at Story Playscapes, Susan draws upon her form of Soulful Formalism, her Fragmentique technique, as well as her commitment to formalising Romantic Academia (differently to the internet aesthetic), into a literary convention. Susan’s Fragmentique is a warm invite to a contemporary readership in a busy and ever-changing world. Drawing upon her intrigue with fractures of light, extensive historical research of literary and visual arts movements and techniques and years of original artistic refinement, Susan’s focus on the metaphysical reconstruction of fragments (in contrast to the historical ‘broken’ focus of fragmentation) is unique. It leads her to creating non-linear literary art, which curates unique metaphysical experiences, designed to alight the Romantic Spirit jointly for characters within a story’s world and for the Reader in their every day life.
Susan has also used her Soulful Formalist form and her Fragmentique technique to develop her monumental Theatre Playscapes style. Susan’s travels through the Luberon Villages of France, provided her with rich interactions with light and sensory fragments, the wildness of nature and a wonderful connection with the people and lifestyle of the villages. Further supported by her research into the psychological and educational psychological theories of: Sigmund Freud, Jean Piaget and Abraham Maslow; along with the physics of energy and philosophical theories on the foundation and impacts of individualism during contemporary globalisation, Susan officially developed her Theatre Playscapes style. Placing the wellbeing of young adults at its centre, the theatre style works to help them find the balance of their cognitive and energetic explorations of the worlds in which they live.
Dedicated to global literacy and wellbeing initiatives, she also shares her short writing etudes with a dedicated global readership, as she develops her work using her technique in our long standing My Story Meadow program. Many of Susan’s professional poems and stories unravelled their beginnings through the program, even becoming Amazon best-selling titles. Inspired by research into healing gardens around the world, Story Playscapes also offers the Romantic Spirit Alight Readers’ Garden, which allows readers to immerse themselves in the spiritual energy and flow of quotes / fragments from Susan’s published written works as well as to take some time out and treat their own wellbeing.
Contemporary Metaphysical Literature
– A Literary Category –
Acknowledgement of History of Metaphysical Literature and Fragmentation
In the development of Contemporary Metaphysical Literature as a literary category at Story Playscapes, Susan L. Marshall acknowledges the significance of the form and conventions of two distinctive eras where Metaphysical Literature was prominent.
1. Ancient Greek Metaphysical Philosophy and Literature
Susan L. Marshall draws her grounding of metaphysical philosophical principles and theories from the works of Aristotle. Her creation of contemporary metaphysical literature derives extensive inspiration from her Ancient Greek Antiquity, particularly the works of: Homer, Sophocles and Aeschylus. Susan particularly draws from the conventions of pathos and cartharsis in the development of her work. She will also sometimes draw from the resulting metaphysical and ethical philosophy of Stoicism.
2. Metaphysical Poetry of the 17th Century
Susan L. Marshall acknowledges the work of Metaphysical poets of the 17th Century (pioneered by John Donne). From this time, she extends the use of the following conventions: metaphysical conceit, deep intellectualism, paradox and colloquial diction.
3. Historical Presentation / View of Literary Fragments
Susan L. Marshall also acknowledges the historical view / presentation of literary fragmentation in the Romanticist era as a yearning for nature, individualism, emotion, awe of the sublime and a description of beauty that could never be complete. She also acknowledges the historical view / presentation of literary fragmentation as ‘broken,’ particularly through Modernist and Post Modernist / Post Structuralist literature. Susan’s work in contemporary metaphysical literature, challenges this view, through metaphysical reconstruction of fragments, leading to metaphysical truth for the human condition as subject, their Romantic Spirit and wellbeing.
Contemporary Metaphysical Literature
At Story Playscapes, Susan L. Marshall defines her literary art with the primary classification of Contemporary Metaphysical Literature. She is a prominent creator of this literary category, which defines the fundamental purpose and identity of her writing. Her work in this genre, is produced using her unique, coined form of Soulful Formalism.
Purpose,Technique & Form: Through the creation and use of her coined Soulful Formalist from and her original Fragmentique technique (conventions: Heightened Energy and Metaphysical Noir et Blanc), Susan L. Marshall focuses on the metaphysical reconstruction of Fragments, forming a non-linear, mosaic narrative, which works to assist the reader to discover the metaphysical truth of narrative. The addition of Romantic Academia, as a formalised literary convention, provides her work with a focus on setting the Romantic Spirit Alight, in both story and for the reader, through its yearnings and experiences of the everyday. The structure ofFragmentique is highly flexible in the way it has enabled Susan to use a diverse range of genres (genre as fragment and to give contemporary voice in her writing), in her works. Blended with metaphysical perception, ontology, cause and effect and/or relativity, the genre fragments ‘bend’ to take on new approaches through her writing.
Susan L. Marshall has divided Contemporary Metaphysical Literature into three distinctive conventions. Conventions are methods that Susan uses to develop her work and help to build the architecture of contemporary metaphysical literature. The three conventions are:
1. Heightened Energy: Attunement to moments through the heightened energies of nature, for example: a glowing ray of light, a bird fluttering its wing, the cresting of sea waves or vibrational energy. These moments (and more!) often strike Susan with an ‘awe’ (sublime) and soothe her own wellbeing. They become fragments, which she fleshes out in writing as the ‘hero’ of a moment for the Romantic Spirit’s journey. Heightened Energy fragments help to gage the pulse, blocks, flows, rhythms, atmospheres and harmonies of the piece. They provide fragments of setting, spiritual connection, as well as motivation and drive for the character’s ontological state at any given point.
2. Metaphysical Noir et Blanc: The metaphysical reconstruction of fragments discovered through light, shadow and darkness. These fragments are sourced from the natural world, human moments, memories, specific genre, visual arts, etc. Susan uses a metaphysical pallet that contains natural and sensory fragments: curating works using words that are etched from her fragment finds, metaphysical philosophy, genre choices and literary / artistic inspirations; in order to provide them with meaning, leading to the development of mosaic of metaphysical truth for the Romantic spirit.
Metaphysical Noir et Blanc is about Susan being able to block out the background noise and to really focus on the depth of the moment that she is curating. It involves her being able to see things like:
-perception of light and shadow and how that creates emotional resonance, ontology, relativity, cause and effect, etc.
-foreground and background focus and how they interplay for deeper meanings, perception, etc.
-deliberately bringing focus to the light of the moment and letting it shine its glory.
-seeking the mystery in the shadows and delving into what the darkness brings to emotional depth.
-different shades of dark and light and how these impact on meaning. Blurring, blending, etc to achieve effect.
-deliberately bringing focus to an aspect of world or character (light) against the shadows (whether real or imagined).
Susan uses a lot of visual art techniques in writing, to help to curate these raw moments of ontology for the reader. She aims to show how these moments, like a mosaic, form a greater part of the eternal Romantic Spirit’s journey.
3. Romantic Academia: Susan L. Marshall’s Romantic Academia is a unique, formalised literary convention,which differs greatly from the broader internet aesthetic of the same name. Susan has transformed it from a vibe or visual aesthetic (as on social media), to a structured literary discipline. For Susan, Romantic Academia involves her drawing from her knowledge of fragments of Romanticism and Dark Romanticism to build the foundational approach to her work. She also utilises her scholarly influences from other literary, theatrical and visual arts masters / practices to inform her of the Romantic aesthetics and forms of her works. Primarily, Susan’s Romantic Academia is an aesthetic and character convention, as her ”scholarly” focus is on the human condition as a subject, finding meaning and existing, while its Romantic spirit finds a way to thrive and be set alight in our contemporary every day. Susan draws upon her work with Heightened Energy andMetaphysical Noir et Blanc fragments, to detail the Romantic Spirit’s journey in the contemporary world.
Susan’s dedication to contemporary metaphysical literature works to provide a wellbeing experience for the Reader. As they engage with the mosaic narrative, they find clues in the fragments which they also work to dually metaphysically reconstruct, as the story is read. Not only does it set a character’s spirit alight, yet also provides a wellbeing experience for the Reader.
Extension of the Contemporary Metaphysical Literary Category at Story Playscapes:
1. Susan L. Marshall’s development of her original Theatre Playscapes style and resulting essays and dramatic literature.
2. The My Story Meadow Program and its work on literary development (through Susan’s writing études) and support of global literacy.
3. The Romantic Spirit Alight Readers’ Garden, which provides wellbeing experiences for readers through their engagement with the spiritual flow of quotes/fragments from Susan L. Marshall’s professional publications.
Literary Categorisation & Availability of Susan L. Marshall’s Publications:
Susan’s major professional publications, published here at Story Playscapes, are categorised as Contemporary Metaphysical Literature and Romantic Academia. They are available at all good book retailers in more than 200 countries and territories around the world.
Creator and Qualifications:
Susan L. Marshall
Bachelor of Arts (majors in English, Drama and Theatre Studies).
Postgraduate Bachelor of Teaching (Primary and Secondary).
Official Foundation Date / Date of Announcement:
14 April 2026.
Publication Timeline
Currently, Story Playscapes has published six of Susan L. Marshall’s major publications: Fleur of Yesterday, All the Hope We Carry, Adira and the Dark Horse, Bare Spirit: The Selected Poems of Susan Marshall (an Amazon best-seller); Wild Soul: Contemporary Classical Winter Poetry (an Amazon best-seller and #1 Hot New Release at Amazon) and Princess Zyra’s Lost Storm: An Australian Childhood Myth.
Fleur of Yesterday
Theatre Playscapes Series # 1
All the Hope We Carry
Theatre Playscapes Series # 2
Adira and the Dark Horse
Book 1 of ‘An Adira Cazon Literary Mystery’ Series
General Trade
Bare Spirit: The Selected Poems of Susan Marshall
A Metaphysical Poetry Collection for Adults
Wild Soul: Contemporary Classical Winter Poetry
A Metaphysical Poetry Collection for Adults
Princess Zyra’s Lost Storm: An Australian Childhood Myth
A Metaphysical Myth in Verse for Children
About
Susan L. Marshall
Founder & Artistic Director of Story Playscapes
Susan L. Marshall is an Amazon best-selling artisan author, an illustrator, a theatre practitioner, a multi award-winning recipient, including the prestigious Top Story Award at Vocal Media and the pioneer of Contemporary Metaphysical Literature. As the literary architect of Soulful Formalism, she uses her signature Fragmentique technique to curate the ‘broken’ fragments of our contemporary world into a dignified, unified and non-linear mosaic narrative. Intersecting the lyrical beauty of literary and visual art with the structural rigour of maths / science, Susan’s internationally acclaimed and globally available works in over 40 publications, from award-winning fiction, best-selling poetry and illustration to monumental theatrical essays and literature are unique. They offer an intellectual homecoming, where her brilliant technical form meets the emotional resonance of internal landscapes and profound mystery. Susan’s work is curated specifically for the depth of the Romantic Spirit and its human soul.
Original Signature Technique: Fragmentique
Pioneer of: Contemporary Metaphysical Literature
Original Theatrical Style: Theatre Playscapes
Original Literary Architecture: Soulful Formalism
Interests: Metaphysical philosophy, nature, energetic motions, mystical connections, the elements, wellbeing, contemporary themes, theatre, music, Romantic classics and dark classics.
The Contemporary Metaphysical Collection
(Soulful Formalism)
- Adira and the Dark Horse: A suspenseful metaphysical literary mystery and small-town romance that explores the Romantic Spirit’s search for truth and justice.
- Bare Spirit: The Selected Poems of Susan Marshall: An Amazon best-selling poetry collection and popular psychology publication that distils and transcends sensual impressions into a path for spiritual awakening and wellbeing.
- Wild Soul: Contemporary Classical Winter Poetry: A top-rated Amazon best-seller that fuses contemporary poetry and classical style and sonnet structures with the raw energies of winter in nature.
- Princess Zyra’s Lost Storm: An Australian Childhood Myth:
Susan L.Marshall’s debut as author and illustrator, this story in verse empowers childhood heroism, perception and ontology through the beauty of the Australian landscape.
The Award-Winning “Top Story” Mosaics
- Wild Love at Christmas Eve: A Romance: Recipient of the Top Story Award at Vocal Media, this story uses Heightened Energy and Metaphysical Noir et Blanc to curate a mysterious, unexpected romance.
- Love’s Arena: A Relativity: A Top Story Award-winning, metaphysical romance adventure that applies structural maths and relativity to the complexities of human love and connection.
The Monumental Theatre Playscapes Series
- Fleur of Yesterday: The premiere Theatre Playscapes play, including the groundbreaking essayTheatre Playscapes: A New Theatrical Style, which introduces the wellbeing-centered theatre style and its framework for performance.
- All the Hope We Carry: A profoundly inspirational play about war survival through hope for young adults, accompanied by the essay Theatre Playscapes of Hope, designed to empower autonomy and resilience.
Foundational Literary Essays
- Fragmentique: Susan L. Marshall’s Signature Technique: The essential theoretical discourse that officially defines the Soulful Formalist approach to Contemporary Metaphysical Literature.
“In my wanders, through wake or sleep,
I have witnessed worlds that, when given breath,
do slowly unfurl.
Breathtaking, are the sparks of life that arise,
absorbing and alighting my spirit with their precious moments.”
– Susan L. Marshall
Key Literary and Artistic Movements /
Eras of Influence and Inspiration
- Ancient Greek Antiquity (Metaphysical philosophy, Theatre and Literature (Aristotle, Homer, Sappho, Sophocles and Aeschylus)
- Romanticism Movement and Literature (Frances Hodgson Burnett, Johanna Spyri, Emily Bronte (Gothic also), Percy Bysshe Shelley, William Blake, William Wordsworth and Victor Hugo)
- Renaissance Movement and Literature, Cartography and Art (Sandro Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci (Sfumato)
- Baroque (Johannes Vermeer – Intimacy, Sfumato and Chiaroscuro)
- Dark Romanticism & Gothic Architecture, Art and Literature (Edgar Allan Poe and E.T.A. Hoffmann)
- Relativism (Albert Einstein)
- Impressionism (Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Camille Pissaro)
- Victorian (Charles Dickens and Thomas Hardy)
- Post Structuralism (Jacques Derrida, Michel Foucault and Roland Barthes)
- Chinese Shan Shui
- Japanese Zen and Ikebana
- Modernism (Virginia Woolf, Samuel Beckett, Anton Chekhov and Tennessee Williams)
- Indian Landscape Art (Bireswar Sen)
- Steam Punk
- Contemporary World, Issues and Themes
Inspired by Natural Energies
Susan was born in Carlton in Melbourne, Australia. She was raised by her parents in Richmond in Melbourne, as the oldest of three children. At a young age, she was drawn to the solace she discovered outdoors, particularly when she attuned herself to the natural energetic motions that surrounded her.
“I learned at a young age that we can choose how we engage with life. To be able to witness precious, energetic motions, such as the kinetic whispering of wind against leaves, a bird spanning its wings or the budding of a flower, was soothing. It took me away from the grind of the everyday and fuelled my imagination. In places such as my own backyard, on outdoor treks or even at one of my favourite places: the Royal Botanic Gardens, I connected with my own spirit. I was able to attune myself to precious, energetic moments and give flight
to their stories.
“I spent a lot of time with my father as a child. He nurtured my love for nature and homegrown herbs, fruits and vegetables. Although we lived close to the busy city, my father helped me to learn how to ground myself and to take care of my health and wellbeing. He also taught me how to embrace my wandering nature by taking me on long walks into Melbourne city, where he taught me how to navigate my way around it confidently. I have fond memories of our family road trips out to Beechworth, where I would trek up the cliffs with my father courageously and view the vista with all its beauty. My father is a visual artist himself and I was always blessed to be able to watch him translate his passions into amazing paintings. It gave me confidence to continue to develop as an artist and writer myself.”
Artistic Education,
Dreams & Achievements
As a young child, Susan gravitated towards theatre, where she was able to flourish even further artistically. At Richmond Primary School, she was excited to be in her first stage production: Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach, guided by her teachers: Kim Young and Stu Cooper. She also performed the King in the French production of Antoine de Saint Exupéry’s Le Petit Prince.
Later, as a student at Melbourne Girls’ College, Susan was privileged to learn from the professional Australian stage director and theatre critic: Di Gagen. As her mentor, Di was instrumental in helping Susan to further harness her artistic focus and skills, by providing her with many theatrical opportunities. In senior years, Susan became the first Arts Captain at her school and was mentored by her principal, Jan Parkes, in community and leadership skills. Susan directed the school stage productions: Just Equal by Dennis Betts and A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare. She was also privileged to perform the roles of a Field Mouse (photo on right) and Pheobe, in Hartwell Players’ stage production of the pantomime: Toad of Toad Hall, directed by Di and Steve Gagen.
Susan was humbled to receive numerous awards throughout her senior years of education: the Award for ‘Special Achievement in Drama’ in Year 10; the Award for ‘Special Achievement in Citizenship’ in Year 11 and the Achievement Award for her ‘Contribution to the Arts’ in year 12, her final year of college.
Di Gagen also introduced Susan to the world of St Martin’s Youth Arts Centre, which Susan embraced whole-heartedly. She spent many years there, under the tuition of some of Australia’s great theatre practitioners, including: the Artistic Director, Brett Adam, James Wardlaw and Geoff Wallis. Susan was honoured to work with Brett Adam to devise, script and perform in the postmodern stage production: Orb.IT for the Melbourne International Arts Festival.
Susan’s passions for theatre and writing remained with her, leading to her enrolling in a Bachelor of Arts at La Trobe University. It was there that she performed in the productions: As You Like It by William Shakespeare, directed by Meredith Rogers and What Time is this House? by Virginia Baxter, for the Melbourne Fringe Festival. She also performed the lead role of Phrygenia in the production of Spartacus and Phrygenia, (written and directed by Peter and Corinne at Créations Barquette Gitane), for the Banyule Festival in Melbourne.
Later, Susan was privileged to further develop her skills in stage direction by observing Richard Keown’s stage direction of the Australian Premiere of Joanne Harris’ Holidays for Peridot Theatre in Melbourne. Susan was very honoured to stage direct the Australian premiere of Timothy Daly’s Beach: A Theatrical Fantasia, with a young adult cast.
“The wanderer in me continued to flourish, wanting to learn as much as I could about the worlds of theatre and literature, to help me grow. I immersed myself in styles from classical to post-modern, loving the senses of character spirit and embodiment that unravelled their journeys in books and plays. I felt I had found the arts where I fitted naturally, with my own connections to life energies. I will always be grateful to my lecturers: Richard Freadman (literature); Geoffrey Milne, Julian Meyrick, Meredith Rogers and Peta Tait (theatre), for their expertise and helping me to grow.
“My theatre mentor, the wonderful, late Geoffrey Milne, once asked me what I wanted my discipline to be in the theatre world. At the time, I wanted to be a theatre practitioner, as I had been awe-inspired by many professional theatre practitioners before me. I loved learning about the ways that Artaud, Brooke and others, went about journaling and sharing their own techniques and practice. There is something so alive and progressive about theatre, an energy that is inexplicable and I wanted to help make a contribution, initiate innovation and new, lively discussion. Geoffrey’s advice stayed with me as I continued to develop and harness my skills. Later, I realised that my forte was creating theatre for young adults, after working with them for many years in theatre, community and educational settings. That’s when I began developing the Theatre Playscapes style, so that I could make a contribution to theatre and its progressive development and discussion for young people through time.”
On completion of her Bachelor of Arts degree, Susan was granted lifetime membership to the Golden Key International Honour Society at La Trobe University’s chapter: ‘In recognition of outstanding scholastic achievement and excellence.’
A Debut Author, Educator, Community Volunteer & Multiple Award Recipient
Susan has a passion for heritage and culture, having grown up as a member of a large, multicultural family.
“My ethnicity is Maltese, Turkish, Portugese and English. I can also speak French fluently. I grew up with an appreciation for the diverse ways that people live and the wonderful contributions that cultures make to life itself.
“My mother’s second language is English and she dedicated herself to teaching me how to read at a very young age. She helped me to discover my love for the Romantic focus of literature. I was reading novels such as: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnet; Heidi by Johanna Spyri and The Enchanted Wood series by Enid Blyton. As I grew older, I adored the Anne of Green Gables series by Lucy Maud Montgomery and Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Each of these stories were a feast of spirit and humanity, accompanied by nature and desire, even fantastical at times. They instilled a sense of courage in me, to continue to explore the world with open eyes and to unravel my continued spiritual journey, away from the daily grind.
“My mother also taught me the importance of family and community and helped me to build strong relationships. When I would visit my Nanna (my mother’s mother), I would relish my Nanna’s presence and cherish her stories at her table, which was dressed with her beautiful lace table cloth, all the way from her native country, Gozo. As a war survivor, the lace was a precious belonging to my Nanna. The heritage lace trade is significant for the people of Gozo.
“My father’s mother, my Nanna, also had a very strong influence on my spiritual presence and growth. She taught me how to connect with the simple joys of life and to find comfort and peace. I will always be grateful for the guidance and wisdom of my mother and grandmothers.”
Susan became an active member of the Richmond community. She volunteered at the Berry Street Opportunity Shop and volunteered her assistance at the Richmond City Council by providing opportunities for young people. This led to her work on the Richmond Youth Work Project and Richmond Youth Council. Her outstanding work with young people led to her being granted the prestigiousAward for Special Civic Service by the Mayor of Richmond.
“To be able assist young people in need of support was a true privilege. As a young adult myself, it was heart warming to be a member of the Richmond Youth Work Project (an initiative of the Richmond City Council) and to work alongside the very inspirational leadership and expertise of Belinda Frew. It warmed my heart to co-develop programs in response to the needs of other young people. That word hope, it has stayed with me my whole life, that is what kept us all going. We worked so hard to cross the barriers that existed for young people, be that social, home life, personal, economic, accessibility, etc. and worked with them as a team, even inviting young people to contribute their hopes and needs through the Richmond Youth Council so that we could help in the best way possible.
“It was the most amazing experience to attend the Australia Day ceremony at the Richmond Town Hall with my family. It was on this day, that I stood alongside so many wonderful people who were receiving their Australian Citizenship and heard their heartfelt stories. It was such an honour to receive my Award for Special Civic Servicethat day too, my spirit soaring with gratitude for all that I had learned and to be able to be inspired by the lives of others.”
In her senior years of schooling, Susan undertook Business studies and was informed by her teacher that she was achieving excellent results.
“Business Studies was an area that interested me. I was considering what a career in business might look like and really enjoyed learning about business acumen, strategies and laws, among other areas. It was an absolute honour to receive the Arthur Andersen prize for Business Studies. It was accompanied by a letter from the Managing Partner in Australia, Peter H. Gutwein, who was highly supportive and encouraging of my future studies and career in business. To think that today, I am blessed to have founded and manage a wonderful business in Story Playscapes. I am so grateful for my teacher’s wisdom and encouragement of my skills and to Arthur Andersen’s support too. I am immensely proud of all that Story Playscapes is.”
Later, while completing a Postgraduate Bachelor of Teaching: Primary and Secondary at Deakin University, Susan also dedicated her time as a Volunteer Literacy Assistant in the Middle Years Literacy Development Program at Highvale Secondary College. She was privileged to be led by the expertise of her mentor, Helen Newton, for two years.
“It was the most rewarding experience to work with Helen and to embrace that special part of myself that wanted to help foster literacy development in young adults. Helen taught me so many techniques and approaches to teaching, that remain with me today. It gave me so much heart felt joy to help guide young adults in the enhancement of their reading and writing skills and to watch the smiles that would light up their faces when they realised they had acquired new skills and grown! The experience made my desire to teach stronger and confirmed my passion for helping others to develop and enhance their literacy skills.”
Susan was taken by surprise when Helen Newton presented her with an invitation by the Monash Volunteer Resource Centre, Inc. (City of Monash) to attend a special breakfast to celebrate National Volunteer Week. It was there that Susan was honoured to receive the National Volunteer Award ‘For Outstanding Voluntary Service As Literacy Assistant.’
‘To be able to give my heart and soul to help young adults with enhancing their literacy skills was such a privilege. I was so touched that my work was recognised in this way and so thankful to Helen for all her guidance and support in helping me to develop my skills and confidence.”
Susan completed her Postgraduate Bachelor of Teaching: Primary and Secondary, guided by the amazing expertise of her mentors Dr Jo Omara and Dr Jo Raphael. After graduating, Susan taught young adults English and Drama in educational settings for more than a decade and undertook the role of Head of Drama. She also mentored pre-service and practising teachers.
Susan continued to work with young adults in community, educational and theatrical settings as a theatre practitioner. She launched her first professional play: Broken World, (published by RMDesigned under her birth name, Susan Judd), at the AATE/ALEA National Conference in Brisbane, in 2013 (photo on left), beginning her career as a professional author. Later, the play was positively reviewed by the Children’s Book Council of Australia. RMDesigned continued to publish Susan’s second professional play: Indigo’s Haven in 2016.
Susan has also completed a range of publications at Vocal Media, U.S.A. See the table of her Body of Work below for more details.
An Arts in Education Manager, Educational Leader & Consultant
Susan held the position of Secretary on the Drama Victoria Executive Committee of Management. In this role, her responsibilities included: providing planning and support structures for the effective delivery of Drama and Theatre Studies subjects at both state and national levels, minute-taking; co-planning and presentation of state and national conferences; establishing Solidarity Funding guidelines and application processes for delegates from bush fire and/or flood affected schools who wished to attend the state conference and contributing to future planning / decision making at committee meetings.
In the aforementioned role, Susan also contributed to the official Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority’sShaping Paper for the Australian National Curriculum for Drama Education. She also assisted with running Primary Drama Education network meetings in order to inspire Primary Drama teachers with techniques and strategies; co-developed resources for teachers, such as the VCE Theatre Studies Monologue Resource Kit; proof read, reviewed and edited the drafted text of Drama Victoria practice examinations (for V.C.E. Drama studies) for accuracy and fluency and assisted other Heads of Drama with course structural ideas and implementation of Drama curriculum at their educational institutions. Susan also networked and planned Drama educational opportunities in the wider community for schools, such as: the Drama Australia Footprints Project with cultural institutions such as the National Gallery of Victoria.
As an educational leader, Susan has also presented numerous professional academic workshops at state and national conferences in drama and literacy education in Australia. These include: Capturing Value-able Moments (Drama Victoria Values Education Conference at the Abbotsford Convent, Melbourne); Broken World Workshop (Drama Victoria State Conference at The University of Melbourne); Cultivating Natural Theatre: Edward Gordon Craig’s Environmental Theatre (Drama Australia National Conference at The University of Melbourne); Introduction to Playwriting (Drama Victoria State Conference at the Victorian College of the Arts) and Using Multimodal Literacies to Re-invigorate a Broken World (AATE / ALEA joint National Conference at the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane).
Susan has worked as an educational consultant and provided editorial review services for Macmillan Education Australia.
Founder of Story Playscapes & Its Globally Beloved My Story Meadow Program
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Susan began sharing her poetic and fictional writing études on her My Story Meadow blog. It rapidly attracted a global readership who were interested in Susan’s story telling and techniques shared. Susan committed herself to providing global literacy development opportunities to readers via her popular My Story Meadow Program. This lead to her founding her business, named after her passion for life’s energies and her Romantic wanders: Story Playscapes.
On New Year’s Eve in 2022, Susan was met with overwhelming global support when she announced that Story Playscapes was classified as a heritage trade publisher. Susan was joined by many readers when she lit a candle of hope for the future of heritage trade across the world. A heartfelt passion that she continues to support today.
In 2023, Susan touched the hearts of the globe with her metaphysical magic when Story Playscapes released her monumental, first two plays in the Theatre Playscapes series: Fleur of Yesterday and All the Hope We Carry, both developed for young adult performers around the world.
In 2023, Susan also reached a milestone of 10 years in her career as a professional author. Story Playscapes continued to publish and release Susan’s professional publications: Adira and the Dark Horse (2024); Bare Spirit: The Selected Poems of Susan Marshall (2024) (An Amazon best-seller); Wild Soul: Contemporary Classical Winter Poetry (2025) (an Amazon best-seller and #1 Hot New Release in Australian and Oceanian Poetry).
A New Era as Debut Illustrator, Artistic Director, Pioneer, Literary Architect
&
Introduction of the Signature
Romantic Spirit Collection
In 2026, as Founder, Susan L. Marshall shared her long term vision and work at Story Playscapes with her readers and the literary community, through several key announcements, along with her first release as a debut illustrator.
March 3, 2026: Story Playscapes released Susan’s children’s metaphysical myth in verse: Princess Zyra’s Lost Storm: An Australian Childhood Myth. It was Susan’s debut as illustrator, with her use of visual metaphysics in imagery. The publication was internationally acclaimed, being recognised on Goodreads’ Poetry New Releases list for April; Topping retail charts at Alibris (#2 for New Release Kids Fiction Visionary & Metaphysical) and Books A Million (#5 for Stories in Verse / Juvenille Fiction) in the USA. Ubuy Global also acclaimed the story, stating in a product review: “In a world increasingly driven by technology, this book stands out as a beacon of literary exploration, promoting empathy, curiosity, and a connection to our natural world through the lens of an unforgettable protagonist.”
Princess Zyra’s Lost Storm: An Australian Childhood Myth also reached #1 for popular Australian Poetry, Children’s Mythology and Popular Romantic Academia lists at Goodreads.
March 13, 2026: Susan released a formal essay that described her signature technique as an artisan author: Fragmentique: Susan L. Marshall’s Signature Technique. It is published here on our website.
28 March, 2026: The publication of our Artistic Statement on the Home Page of our website: Fractured Light is the Beginning of Mystery.
7 April 2026: Susan officially announced her step into the role of Artistic Director at Story Playscapes.
14 April 2026: Susan shared her work as pioneer in the creation and establishment of Contemporary Metaphysical Literature as a literary category. It includes the conventions: heightened energy, metaphysical noir et blanc and Romantic Academia (which Susan has elevated from a a vibe or aesthetic into a a literary convention).
4 May 2026: Susan L. Marshall released her Founder’s Statement on the Home Page of our website, which announces her overall role and vision as literary architect of Soulful Formalism.
12 May 2026: Story Playscapes, led by the artistic direction and authorship of Susan L. Marshall, will release her new premium, bespoke Romantic Spirit Collection. Its first edition will have the celebrated novel: Adira and the Dark Horse, presented in its Dawn and Dusk Deluxe Edition. The novel has already topped the New Release Visionary Metaphysical Fiction list at Pre-release stage at #6 Alibris in the USA. This edition will be the first in a long line of releases in the collection.
International & Critical Acclaim
Susan is an internationally acclaimed artisan author. Her professional publications are available in more than 200 countries and territories globally. Susan has also received critical acclaim by receiving the prestigious Top Story Award at Vocal Media twice for her stories: Wild Love at Christmas Eve: A Romance (December, 2025) and Love’s Arena: A Relativity (May 2026).
Susan L. Marshall’s Body of Work
| Publication | Genre | Published | Achievements and Awards |
| Love’s Wild Fog: An Ontology | Short Story: Metaphysical Romance / Mystery | Vocal Media, U.S.A. (2026) | |
| Love’s Arena: A Relativity | Short Story: Metaphysical Romance Adventure | Vocal Media, U.S.A. (2026) | Top Story Award at Vocal Media, May, 2026. |
| Sirena: Who Was Not Actually There | Short Story: Metaphysical Mystery Adventure | Vocal Media, U.S.A. (2026) | |
| ‘Her’ Synaesthesia: Composing LIfe | Short Story: Metaphysical Science Fiction / Mystery | Vocal Media, U.S.A. (2026) | |
| Fragmentique: Susan L. Marshall’s Signature Technique | Essay Article Fragmentique, A Contemporary Metaphysical Literature Technique | Story Playscapes Website (2026) | Susan L. Marshall announces her signature metaphysical technique called Fragmentique. |
| Princess Zyra’s Lost Storm: An Australian Childhood Myth | Children’s Literature: Metaphysical Myth in Verse | Story Playscapes (2026) | Susan’s publication as both author and debut illustrator. |
| Finding My Familiar: A Dream-Wake | Short Story: Metaphysical Mystery Adventure | Vocal Media, U.S.A. (2026) | |
| I Love You: This New Year and Eternally | Short Story: Metaphysical Romance Fiction | Vocal Media, U.S.A. (2026) | |
| Wild Love at Christmas Eve: A Romance | Short Story: Metaphysical Romance Fiction | Vocal Media, U.S.A. (2025) | Top Story Award at Vocal Media, December, 2025. |
| My Heart’s Field: Deep Melancholy and Dreams | Short Story: Metaphysical Surrealist Fiction | Vocal Media, U.S.A. (2025) | |
| New Love’s Bloom: A Love Poem | Metaphysical Romance Poetry | Vocal Media, U.S.A. (2025) | |
| Lori’s Free Will … in a World of Ice and Fire | Short Story: Metaphysical Surrealist Fantasy Fiction | Vocal Media, U.S.A. (2025) | |
| I am Lyric: Motivating Body and Soul | Short Story: Metaphysical Motivational Fiction | Vocal Media, U.S.A. (2025) | |
| The Unforgotten Birth of Life: A Story of Love and Loss | Short Story: Metaphysical Fiction | Vocal Media, U.S.A. (2025) | |
| Whispers of My Deep Soul: If I Could Just Return … to the Love I Know | Short Story: Metaphysical Surrealist Romance Fiction | Vocal Media, U.S.A. (2025) | |
| My Secret City of Being: A Story of Healing | Short Story: Metaphysical Literary Fiction | Vocal Media, U.S.A. (2025) | |
| Shards of Human Being: A Futuristic Journey | Short Story: Metaphysical Futuristic Fiction | Vocal Media, U.S.A. (2025) | |
| Our Forbidden Love: Its Romantic Journey Home | Short Story: Metaphysical Romance Fiction | Vocal Media, U.S.A. (2025) | |
| Wings for Gia: A Romantic Myth | Short Story: Metaphysical Romance Myth | Vocal Media, U.S.A. (2025) | |
| Love’s Dying Road: A Romantic, Metaphysical Fiction | Short Story: Metaphysical Romance Fiction | Vocal Media, U.S.A. (2025) | |
| Wild Soul: Contemporary Classical Winter Poetry | Poetry Collection: Metaphysical Poetry combined with: Romanticism, Dark Romanticism, Gothic, Steam Punk, Renaissance and Petrarchan Sonnet genres | Story Playscapes, Australia (January, 2025) | Amazon best-selling publication #1 Hot New Release in Australian and Oceanian Poetry at Amazon Australia #8 Hot New Release in Australian and Oceanian Poetry at Amazon U.S.A. |
| Bare Spirit: The Selected Poems of Susan Marshall | Poetry Collection (Non Fiction): Metaphysical Poetry, Meditation and Visualisation (Wellbeing) | Story Playscapes, Australia (July, 2024) | Amazon best-selling publication Popular Psychology Publication |
| Adira and the Dark Horse: An Adira Cazon Literary Mystery | Novel: Metaphysical (Literary) Mystery and Small Town Romance | Story Playscapes, Australia (July, 2024) | |
| Bare Love: A Metaphysical Romance | Short Story: Metaphysical Romance Fiction | Vocal Media, U.S.A. (2024) | |
| Tace’s Lost Spirit: Searching for Vie | Short Story: Metaphysical Adventure Fiction | Vocal Media, U.S.A. (2023) | |
| All the Hope We Carry: Theatre Playscapes #2 Publication includes essay: Theatre Playscapes of Hope | Young Adult Dramatic Literature Metaphysical Contemporary Fantasy and War/Military & Essay | Story Playscapes, Australia (December, 2023) | |
| Heart’s Land: A Poem | Metaphysical Poetry | Vocal Media, U.S.A. (2023) | |
| Fleur of Yesterday: Theatre Playscapes # 1 Publication includes essay: Theatre Playscapes: A New Theatrical Style | Young Adult Dramatic Literature Metaphysical Science Fiction / Mystery & Essay | Story Playscapes, Australia (October, 2023) | Monumental Publication: Launch of brand new theatre style and dramatic literature in that style. |
| Stay: Chapter 1 | Chapter: Science Fiction | Vocal Media, U.S.A. (2022) | |
| Makeshift Girl: The Secret Heritage Trail | Novel: Metaphysical (Literary) Mystery and Small Town Romance | Story Playscapes, Australia (2022) | |
| Winter’s Breath: Mother Nature’s Precious Time | Metaphysical Poetry | Vocal Media, U.S.A. (2022) | |
| Peonies for Masha: Her Journey Home | Short Story: Metaphysical Romance / Historical Fiction | Vocal Media, U.S.A. (2022) | Shortlisted for the Vocal + Fiction Awards. |
| Hidden Magic: Part 1 | Short Story: Action / Fantasy / Mystery | Vocal Media, U.S.A. (2022) | |
| Is Summer Still Aglow Within Thy Heart? The Eternal Shore of Summer Love | Metaphysical Shakespearean Sonnet | Vocal Media, U.S.A. (2021) | |
| My Nature Spirit: A Poem Celebrating My Connection with Nature | Nature Poetry | Vocal Media, U.S.A. (2021) | Runner Up in the True Colours Challenge at Vocal Media |
| Gail’s Red Horizon: A Fantastical Adventure | Fantasy / Adventure / Action | Vocal Media, U.S.A. (2021) | |
| A Day Spent … The Playful Thoughts of A Tired Mind | Metaphysical Surrealist Poetry | Vocal Media, U.S.A. (2021) | |
| Grandpa Ben’s Mysterious Notebook: A Tale | Metaphysical Surrealist / Fantasy Poetry | Vocal Media, U.S.A. (2021) | |
| Paper Jilu: A Journey of Her Notes | Metaphysical Futuristic Fiction | Vocal Media, U.S.A. (2021) | |
| Indigo’s Haven | Young Adult Dramatic Literature | RM Designed, Australia (2016) | |
| Broken World | Young Adult Dramatic Literature | RM Designed, Australia (2013) | Launched at the AATE/ALEA Conference in Brisbane, QLD Positively reviewed by CBCA. |
| Cultivating Natural Theatre | Academic Article | Mask Magazine, Drama Victoria, Australia (2009) | |
Pressing Forward: Creating Drama Attuned to the Students’ Time and Place | Academic Article | Mask Magazine, Drama Victoria, Australia (2008) |
